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Catholic Foundation of Maine Will Distribute Over $800,000 to Over 100 Endowment Funds in 2017

PORTLAND---The Catholic Foundation of Maine is pleased to announce that it will distribute more than $800,000 to over 100 endowment funds in 2017. The endowment funds benefit parishes, schools, seminarians, Catholic Charities Maine, and many other ministries across Maine.

The Catholic Foundation of Maine was established in 2003 to provide people with the opportunity to support and create lasting endowments that will enhance the work of the Catholic Church in Maine. The foundation manages the funds to ensure the long-term viability of the endowments so that the charitable wishes of the donors are carried out.

Some of the newly-established funds this year will benefit Catholic schools throughout Maine, including:

The Laurianne Michaud Cormier Endowment
The endowment will allow for an annual scholarship to be awarded to a Saint Dominic Academy student who excels in the classroom and is a volunteer at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston or another area health-care facility.

The St. James School ‘Carrying on the Legacy of Catholic Education’ Endowment
The endowment will be used for the general support of St. James School, located in Biddeford.

Holy Savior School Endowment in Honor of Barbara Pelletier
The endowment, to be used for the general support of Holy Savoir School in Rumford, honors Barbara Pelletier, the longtime principal who will retire from her role this year.

Other newly-established endowments will assist local parishes, including:

Stella Maris Parish Endowment
The endowment will be used for the general assistance and maintenance of the parish comprised of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Bucksport, St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Stonington, and Our Lady of Holy Hope Church in Castine.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish Endowment
The endowment will be used for the general assistance and maintenance of the parish comprised of Immaculate Conception Church in Calais, St. Ann Church in Perry, St. Ann Church in Indian Township, St. James the Greater Church in Baileyville, St. John the Evangelist Church in Pembroke, and St. Joseph Church in Eastport.

St. Denis Church Endowment in Memory of Staff Sergeant Brien D. Lynch
The endowment will benefit St. Denis Church in Fort Fairfield.

St. Louis Church Endowment in Memory of Rainald A. Gervais, Sr.
The endowment will support building maintenance at St. Louis Church in Limestone.

“The new endowments join a large pool of funding that is making a real difference in the lives of students, parishioners, and clergy who are seeing their needs and the needs of our schools and churches met through this generous giving and stewardship,” said Elizabeth Badger, executive director of the foundation. “The foundation’s objective is to encourage and assist people who wish to make legacy and planned gifts. These people are filled with faith and a hope to help ministries that hold a special connection to them. Seeing those hopes become realities through endowments is fulfilling and inspiring.”

To create an endowment with the Catholic Foundation of Maine or to contribute to an existing one, contact Executive Director Elizabeth Badger at (207) 321-7820 or elizabeth.badger@portlanddiocese.org.